Netherlands humiliate champions Spain 5-1 in World Cup

JAVIER SORIANO / AFP

Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben tore Spain apart in a stunning 5-1 dismantling of the defending champions in Salvador on Friday that sent shockwaves through the World Cup.

It was revenge for the Dutch who lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final in Johannesburg four years ago.

The last time the reigning champions lost their opening match, France were humbled by Senegal in 2002, but never before had a title-holder been so comprehensively thrashed.

Manchester United forward Van Persie scored twice, including a brilliant lobbed, headed opener, set up another and cracked a stunning strike against the bar in a man-of-the-match performance from the Dutch captain.

Robben went some way to making up for spurning two glorious chances in the final in South Africa by punishing Spain with his speed and scoring a brace of his own.

Stefan de Vrij was another to get his name on the scoresheet after Xabi Alonso had opened the scoring for Spain, who suffered their worst defeat in more than half a century, with a highly contentious penalty after Diego Costa had slumped to the ground in the box despite no contact appearing to be made by De Vrij.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-06-14

Van Persie, Robben star as Dutch hand Spain record mauling

LLUIS GENE / AFP

Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben both scored twice as the Netherlands avenged their 2010 World Cup final defeat by routing holders Spain 5-1 on Friday in a record-breaking humiliation.

As well as it being the worst ever-mauling inflicted at a World Cup on the reigning champions, it was the worst defeat suffered by Spain in more than half a century, coming 51 years after a 6-2 defeat to Scotland in 1963.

Manchester United striker Van Persie produced a stunning first-half header and slotted home the Netherlands' fourth.

"We never stopped going and in my opinion it could have been six, seven or eight goals," said man-of-the-match Van Persie.

"But I've been here before, this is my fifth tournament and it's just one win and three points, now we have to focus on our next game, against Australia."

Not to be outdone, Bayern Munich star Robben scored two second-half goals with Stefan De Vrij compounding the misery for Vicente del Bosque's world and

European champions.

Veteran midfielder Xabi Alonso gave the Spanish a first-half lead when he drilled home a highly contentious penalty after Brazilian-born striker Diego Costa, who was jeered constantly by local fans, went down in the box despite not appearing to have been touched.

But Van Persie's diving header 90 seconds from the break put the Dutch level before the Oranje ran wild in the second half.

The Dutch triumvirate of Robben, Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder caused the Spanish defence all manner of problems, but it was Daley Blind's superb long passes which created their two opening goals.

"I feel really bad, very upset and very disappointed, but I have enough courage to understand this defeat," said Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque.

Spain conceded two goals at the last World Cup and three in their qualifying campaign for Brazil 2014, leaving Del Bosque at a loss to explain the five-goal mauling.

"I can't find the words to explain that, we are normally solid in defence, but today we were very weak," said Del Bosque.

"You have to acknowledge the performances of Van Persie and Robben."

- 'Dutch can improve still' -

Spain went ahead when Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli judged Costa had been fouled by De Vrij and Alonso drilled the 27th-minute penalty past Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.

Soon after, David Silva squandered a great chance to put the world champions 2-0 up when Cillessen managed to get a glove to the Manchester City star's chipped shot.

Van Persie levelled on 44 minutes when Daley Blind's pin-point pass from the left wing found the Manchester United star in space to loop his header over the stranded Iker Casillas.

Holland took control soon after the break when Van Persie turned provider with a superb pass to Robben in the area.

The winger got the better of both Spain centre-backs Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos to fire the Oranje into a 2-1 lead on 53 minutes.

Van Persie then rattled the crossbar with an hour gone before De Vrij grabbed Holland's third on 64 minutes when he bundled home at the back post.

Spain looked to have pulled a goal back when Silva stabbed home a Cillessen spill with 67 minutes gone, but he was shown to be offside.

Van Persie claimed his second and the Netherlands' fourth when he beat Casillas to a loose ball and, aided by a helpful bounce, he tapped home on 72 minutes.

The Dutch delight was clear as Van Persie handed the captain's armband to Robben in the dying stages when the striker was replaced.

Robben, who could have finished with a hat-trick, netted his second on 80 minutes by again dancing around Spanish defenders to claim his team's fifth goal of a stunning night.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal said his side can improve further still under his new 4-3-3 system clicked.

"Without a shadow of a doubt we can (improve)," said the future Manchester United manager.

"You could see in the last 20 minutes when we started to play the ball around with confidence.

"A result like that gives players confidence and I expect us to play better."

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-06-14

I wonder, what would the odds be for a result like that?

Well done, boys

Now the rest nog

What a good result for the new Man united Manager.

No one expected this! That was a hard pill to swallow for Spain. I doubt they will pass the groups now. The second game will tell anyway.